ARCTIC winds, rain and snow threaten to blight Britain's weather for the next month.

Swathes of the country are battening down the hatches for winter to make a bitter and lengthy comeback this week.

Snow and ice is forecast widely at the weekend with numbing winds from the north pole sending thermometers plunging to -10C (14F).

Despite this week marking the beginning of the meteorological spring, for many it has felt more like the start of winter.

Yesterday motorists battled treacherous driving conditions along the west coast as snow and sleet turned roads into lethal ice rinks.

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A lady walks through the heavy snow in Saddleworth near Oldham

Forecasters say there is no sign of spring arriving soon with another bitter cold week of gales and wintry showers ahead.

They warn a freak change in high-altitude winds threatens to keep the Arctic floodgates open into the start of April.

It could be the coldest Easter on record if temperatures dip below the record -12.5C (9.5F) set on Easter Sunday in 2013.

In the meantime Britain is shivering in a cold, wet and wintry first week of spring with four inches of snow forecast in parts by the weekend.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for the next three days with flurries possible as far south as London and Kent.

Up to four inches of snow is likely to fall over high ground with accumulations of around two inches expected at lower levels.

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Snow fell across much of the north of the country

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: “Temperatures are going to remain below average and it will stay cold and unsettled into the weekend.

“It will be quite windy in parts so there could be some drifting snow which could add to any transport difficulties.

“Generally we are looking at snow accumulations of two to five centimetres [two inches] above 200 metres and 10cm [four inches] above 300 metres.”

The RAC warned motorists to take extra care on the roads over the coming days with sheet ice threatening hazardous driving conditions.

Spokesman Rod Dennis said: “With the threat of some wintry showers, especially in the north of the UK, motorists will once again need to take extra care.

“Our advice is to drive more slowly, check local weather and travel reports regularly.”

Forecasters warn cold weather over the next few weeks will be driven by a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW).

Met Office long-range expert Professor Adam Scaife said: “Sudden stratospheric warming events occur high up in the atmosphere and involve a complete reversal of the high altitude polar jet stream.

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Britain is shivering in a cold, wet and wintry week

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Snow in the North West of England and it is forecast for much of Easter

“They can even affect weather at the surface, and for the UK a sudden stratospheric warming increases the risk of wintry weather.

“Once it is within reach of weather systems in the lower atmosphere the Atlantic jet stream often weakens and moves south.

“This allows cold air from the east into northern Europe and the UK.”

A Met Office spokesman added: “Sudden stratospheric warming events occur on average every couple of years and our long-range forecasts have consistently suggested an increased risk of sudden stratospheric warming towards the end of this winter.

“The last big event was in early 2013 and was followed by a cold end to winter.”